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March 20, 2015

(U)
(U) Our objective was to determine whether
DoO policies and procedures for using DoD
UAS and associated processing, exploitation,
and dissemination activities comply with
applicable Jaws, regulations, and national
policies for providing support to domestic
civil authorities.

(U) DoD Is fully compliant with laws,

regulations, and national policies for UAS
support to domestic civil authorities.

(U) Units operating UASs told us

that, while they understand the
American publlc'slegitimate
concerns abo ut civil libenties and
privacy rights, they do not operate
UASs any differently from manned
platforms with similar ca pabilities.

t;lr

nda i

(FOUO) We recommend that USO (P) establish a standardized

formal approval process for UAS support to domestic civil
authorities.

(FOUO) We recommend that USO (P) add ress the concerns of

Military Service/National Guard Burea u UAS experts that policy
ambiguity is potentially degrading UAS training and operational
readiness.

(FOUO) We also recomme nd that the USD (P) formally charter

the Domestic Imagery Working Group.

(U, Management Comments and Our

lte

011 ~

(U) The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy, Homeland Defense &
Global Security concurred with our recommendations. and no further
comments are required. Please see the Recommendations Table on the
next page.

tl~i

Visit us at www.dodlg.mil

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Recommendations Table
M anagement

Recommendations
.
Requiring Comment

No Additional
.
Comments Required

Under Secretary of Defense for

Policy

1,2,3

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DEPJ\RTM~NT

OP OLWENSE

4800 M/\RK CENTER. DRIVE

ALEXANORIA VJRGINlA 223!;0-l!;Oll

Maren 20, 2015

MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR POLICY
SUBJECT: (U) !!valuation ofDo D's Use of Unmanned Air craft Systems tor SUpport to
Civil Authorities (Report No. DODlG-2015-097)
(U) The Deputy IG, Intelligence and Special Program Assessments (ISPA) Is providing this report
fur yourinformation and use.

(U) We considered management comments on a draft of this report when preparing the final
report. Comments from the Office ofAssistant Secretary of Defense for Policy, Homeland
Defense & Global Security were responsive foraJI recommendations.
(U) We appreciate the courtesies extended to the staff. Please directquestions to me al
(703) 699. .DSN 664o~t{703) 699. .DSN 499. .

~~'"'7\rt:.!~

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Contents
1

1 ...

Auction

(U) Ob)ective..-.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

(U) Background ..............- .........................................................................................._...- ........................................- .................................. 1

(lf) Scope and Methodology ....._,,____,.......,____.,.......- ........_..................___........................................................................._ 2

(U F ndit1; ......... .

~ DoD Is flllly Compliant with Laws, Regulatlons, and National Policies for UAS Support to CMI
Authorities...-................................................................................................................................................................- .............................- 3

( U) Statutory Environment for Employment of DoD UAS in

Domestic Operations .................................................... 3

(U) Office of the Secretary ofDefense Unmanned Aircraft System Policy and Guidance.-----..---............ 1

(U) Military Service and National Guard Bureau Implementation and Execution of DoD UAS Policy .................. 2

( U) DoD UAS Support to CivJI Author ities Events.......................................................................................................................... 3

fFGYet DoD Does Not Have a Standardized Approval Process for UAS Support to Domestic

Civil Authorities..............................................................._ ........................................................................................................................... 4

EFGYGt Service and National Guard UAS Experts Expressed Concern that Policy Ambiguity Is
Potentially Degradio g UAS Training and Operational Readiness..................................................................- ............- ... S

(U) Impact of0-0D UAS Policy on Processing, Exploitation, a nd Dissemination for DSCA ......................................... 6

(U) The Domestic Imagery Working Group ...................................................................................................................................... 7

(U) Conclusion..........----- ..--- -..--- ------ -........................~--------..- -- 8

fFeYGt Recommendatio ns, Management Comments, and Our Response .... ................................................................... B

~ ~

..........

Assistmt Secretary of Defense for Policy.......................................................................................................................................10

., .................... .................. , .........

(U) DoD Offices Vlsited .,...._,..._..._...._........................................- ...................................................................................................1 7

(U) Unit's V!sited and Location .............................................................................................................................................................18

(U) Use of Computer-Processed Data ................- ...- .................- ---------..- -------....----lB

(U) Prior Coverage..............................................................................- .....................................................................................................18

J "' v y , s and Abbreviations.........................................

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(U) Introduction
(U) Objective

(U) Our objective was to determine whether DoD policies and pr ocedures for using DoD

unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and associated processi.ng, exploi tation, and
dissemination (PED) activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, and national
policies for providing support to domestic civil auth orities.

( i

,('_

rn

ti

(U) During the last 10 years, the quantities and types of UAS acquired by the Military

Services have increased. Their capabilities, along with PED enhancements, have
become integral to warfighter operations across the spectrum of conflict.
The prevalence and uses of unmanned systems continue to grow at a
d ramatic pace.

The past decade of conflict has seen the greatest

increase in UAS. primarily performing Intelligence. Surveillance. and

Reconnaissance (JSR) missions. Use of unmanned systems in other
domains is growing as well. The growth of unmanned systems use is
expected to continue across most domains. Unmanned systems have
proven they enhance situational awareness, reduce human workload,

improve mission performance, and minimize over.:1 11 risk to both

civilian and mllit:a,ry personnel and all at a reduced cost.'
(U) Effective use of these unmanned capabilities reqwres highly-trained UAS vehicle

operators, sensor and payload operators, and analysts to process, exploit, and
disseminate the dala collected. The Military Seivices train all UAS personnel at various

' ooo, unmanned Systems tntear11red ll001dm;tp FY 20132018"

N

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(U) locations around the country. The training is specifically designed to ensure tJ1at

UAS' and personnel can be operationally employed to satisfy combatant commanders'

overseas warfighting requirements.

More than ten years ofwar In the combat zones of Iraq a nd Afghanistan
have taught a generation of Airman valuable lessons about the use of
Remotely Piloted Aircraft [RPAP and other ISR assets. The lesson yet
to be learned, however, is that this battle space experience Is not
directly applicable to operations in the U.S. As the nation winds
down these wars, and USM' RPA and !SR assets become available to
support other combatant command (COCOMJ or U.S. agencies, the
appetite to use them in the domestic environment to collect airborne
imagery continues to grow, as does Congressional and media interest in
their employmentJ

et 1odolo

(U) The evaluation was conducted in accordance with Quality Standards for lnspection
and Evaluation issued by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and
Efficiency. Those standards require that we plan and perform the evaluation to obtain
sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable basis for our findings and
conclusions based on our evaluation objectives.
(U) Our evaJuation included a review of Federal Statutes. DoD policy and directives,
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instructions. Service policy and directives, and
National Guard Bureau (NGB) policy and directives. We also conducted interviews with
personnel from across the Department responsible for policies and procedures for the
conduct of UAS operations (See the Appendix).

' The USAF use.s the term Remotely Piloted Aircraft instead of UAS.
> "Protecting Sewrlty and Privacy: An Analytlcol Framework for Alrbome Domestic Imagery;"
Colon el Dawn M.K. Zoldl, USAF; USAF Law Review, Vol 70
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OJ] Finding
~~~iloo

Is Fully Complian with laws,

Regulations,
d National Policies for UAS Support
I
(FOUO) We found no evidence that any DoD entity using UAS's or associated PED
in support of domestic civil authorities, to date, has violated or is not in
compliance with all statutory, poUcy, or intelligence oversight requirements."'

(U) We visited a cross-section of National Guard, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps,
and U.S. Air Force operational UAS and Intelligence units that have capabilities or
0

responsibilities for processing UAS collected information. These unit visits or spot
checks" were conducted to determine the personnel's level of understanding and
compliance with DoD policy and Service directives for employing DoD UAS in support of
civil authorities.

(U) Statutory Environment for Employment of

l)o
AS in Dome ic n era ions
(U) There are various controlling federaJ statues that define what the DoD is authorized
to provide to domestic civil authorities. They include Title 10, Title 32, Title 42, and
Title SO. There are no federal statutes that specifically address the employment ofthe
capability provided by a DoD UAS if requested by domestic civil authorities. Therefore,
Sections 375, 382, 2564, 9442, and Chapter 15 of title 10, United States Code; title 32, United States Code;

Sections 300hh, 11 and 5121, and Chapler 15A of title 42, United States Code; title so, United St.ates Code;

E>recutive Order 12333, "United States Intelligence Activities: December 4, 1981, as amended; DoD 5240.lR,

"Procedures Governing the Activities of DoD lntelllgence Components That Affect United States Persons,"

December 1982; DoD Directive 3025.18, "Defense Support to Civll Authorities." December 29, 2010; DEPSECDEF

Memorandum, "Interim Guidance for the Domestlc Use of Unmanned A1rcraft-Systems.'' September 28, 2006.

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DoD and the Military Services have developed a policy framework for the domestic use
(U) of the UAS capability in accordance with the authorities granted for generic defense

support. The framework also covers executive level policies that were developed to
protect fully t he legal rights of all United Sta tes persons, including freedoms, c.ivil
liberties, and privacy righ ts guaranteed by Federal taw.
(U) Given that the primary operational mission of the majority of DoD UAS assets is the

collection of intelligence, DoD UAS domestic operations are also s ubject to Executive
Order 12333, "United States InrelHgence ActiVfties, and DoD Directive 5240.1-R,
11 Procedures Governing the Activities ofDoD Jntelligence Components That Affect
0

United States Persons, December 1982."

(U) Office of the Secretary of De ense Unmanned

irrr ft
~tflrn pn r..y r:a.rt Gl i
rt:a
(U) In addition to the Intelligence Oversight directives, DoD UAS continental U.S.

operations are conducted under a unique DoD policy d.irective. On September 28, 2006,
the Deputy Secretary of Defense signed the "Interim Guidance for the Domestic Use of
Unmanned Aircraft Systems." The purpose was to ensure that DoD UAS are used in
accordance with U.S. law and departmental framework. The directive also identifies the
appropriate use of OoD UAS assets in d omestic operations. This guidance applies lo all
DoD UAS, used in domestic operations, whether operated by Active, Reserve, National
Guard, or other personnel. Ji

s W hlle this rnem orand11rt1 directed the ASD Polley, Homeland Oolen.s<:, to develo? ~a more a.mprehe11slve po!lc:y

document for C>omestic l.Jse of Unmanned Aircraft Svstems." when thrs assessment began, the 2006 lnlerim guidance

remained the guiding DoD pollcy for domestic UAS operations.

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(U) The interim policy encourages the use of DoD UAS to suppo rt appropriate domestic

mission sets, including homeland defense and Defense Support of Civil Authorities

(DSCA). DoD Directive 3025.18, "Defense Support of Civil Authorities/'

September 21. 201 2. is the guiding DSCA policy document for th e DoD.

"DSCA is support provided by U.S. federal military forces, DoD civilians,

DoD cont ract personnel. DOD Component assets, qlld, in coordlnation

wilh the Governors, federally funded National Guard forces in response

to requests for assistance from civil authorities for domestic

emergencies, law enforcement support and other domestic activities,

or from qualifying entitles for 'special events.'0 "

(U) The interim policy is highly restrictive on actual authorization. It specifically

forb ids the use ofDoD UAS for OSCA operations, including support to Federal, State,
local, and tribal government organizations, unless expressly approved by the Secretary

of Defense (SECDEP), or designate. Interviews with Assistant Secretary of Defense for

Homeland Defense and America's Security Affairs personnel indicate that, to date, the

SECDEF has not delegated this approval authority.

(U) Miiitary Service nd .ational Guard Bure~ u

In, plemPnta Ion .r1 w: ~c' t*"' 'l n UA<; P<"lirv
(U) Our interviews with Military Service and NGB personnel revealed that they operate
UAS ofvarious capabilities and configurat'ions and approach the employment ofUAS
fo r DSCA differently, primarily because of Service cultu re and overall UAS
operational experience.
(U) We reviewed all Service DSCA directives and found that while e4ch Service has
overarching doctrine, policy, or instructions for implementing OSD directives for DSCA;

their implementation of OSD policy on UAS use for DSCA varies greatly. For example,
U.S. Army FM 3-28, "Civil Support Operations, Appendix H. UAS in Civil Support,"
August 2010, srates that " ...all requests for UAS must be approved by the Secretary of
(U) Defense." On the other hand, U.S. Air Poree. Air Combat Command Instruction
6

Defense Support of Civil Aulhorltles (OSCA), rnt eragency Partner Guide, APrll 2013, Office of the Asslstanl Secretary of

Defense (Homelimd Defense & Americas' Security Affairs.)

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10-810. "Operations Involving D0mestic Imagery Support Request Procedu res for
U.S. .Missions.'' December 2013, stqtes that" ...u se of intelligence , surveillance, and

reconnaissance, opel'ations reconnaissance; and remotely piloted aircraft, particularly

for DSCA missions operating collection systems outside of DoD-controlled airspace
wilhih the U.S. may1 require Secretary of Defense approval." The U.S. Navy and the U.S.

Marine Corps do not currently have specific directives or instructions for UAS use for
DSC.A The NGB OSCA directives for UAS employment is a reflection of their Service

affiliation, i.e.; Air National Guard units comply with U.S. Air Force lnsLructions and
Army National Guan.I un its comply with U,S. Army UAS directives.

t f'

D 0 UAS Supoort

ivil 4uth ri ie f

Q'1tS

(FOUO) We began our evaluation by requesting from each ofthe Military Services and

the NGB all examples ofinstances where a DoD UAS had been employed in support of
civil authorities in the continental U.S. or U.S. Territories from September 28,2006, to
the present. These d a tes were chosen to coincide with the release of the cun-ent

interim guidance for UAS support to domestic civil authorities. We requested that for
each insta nce the following data should b e p rovided: date of request, requesting

a uthority, summ~ry of request. approval process with documentarlon, summary of

event, and any lessons learned if applicable. We also asked for denied requests.
(FOUO) This data call resulted in. a relatively short collated list of less than twenty

events that could ~e categorized as DoD UAS support to domestic civil authorities. The
list consisted of both approved and disapproved requests. We then interviewed both
Service and NGB Headquarters personnel who processed these requests up through the
Service approval pr ocess lo OSD. During our unit visits we also discussed these events

with the unit commanders to understand how they viewed the a pproval process. as well
as how the interim guidance p olicy impacted the actual support request

Ef11phasls added,

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(FOUO) Service and NGB Headquarters representatives told us that each of the DoD UAS
support requests was processed differently. A number of the approval requests were

processed through normal DoD training event channels that are managed by the joint
staff. A few were processed through Service channels working with OSD. And we heard
that some were handled directly between the OSD staff, SECDEF, and civil authorities

telephonically. We were unable to uncover any formal documentation procedures that

defined the end-to-end approval process. We were told that this ad hoc process
contributed to amdety among the Service and NGB unit commanders about when they

had the authority to employ their UAS resources as requested.

_

..........._

Pr('('e

oD Does Not Have a Standardized Approval

+ r UAS SUfl!"l rt o D'1)rne tir r1 1 Aut orities.
I...

(FOUO) While the current OSD interim guidance for DoD UAS Support to Civil
Authorities provides guidance on UAS employment and when to request SECOEF

approval, it does not provide a mechanism for how to process that request.

~OHO)

-GB (b)(l)(E )

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.,_,__..........,5ervice and ational Guard LIAS EKperts

Expressed Concern that Policy Ambiguity Is Potent ally

Oppr r1,,~ AS Tr~.,i a~., nrpnato I ~'-"'tdiraac:C\
(FOUO) Multiple units told us that as forces using UAS capabilities continue to draw
down overseas, opportun ities for UAS realistic trainihg and use have decreased. UAS

unit commanders explained. that providing UAS s upport to civU authorities could yield
more realistic training opportunities and increase operational readiness. However,
multiple commanders also stated that as a res ult of the restrictive approval processes

for domestic UAS use, policy confusion, and internal Service hesita tions, potential
training opportunities are missed.
(FOUO) USAF representatives told us that the OSO policy makes it difficult to determine

what training is acceptable for DSCA UAS missions. For example, a unit submitted a
request to use a remotely piloted aircraft (MQ-1 Predator and/or MQ9 Reaper) to
support incide nt awareness and assessment during fire season training with the

Department of Energy. The unit was Informed that although the training met the
qualifications expressed in the Air Combat Command Domestic lmageryTrainjng
Proper Use Memorandum (PUM)/ 1 the activity was classified as DSCA, since this was

support for wild fires to an outside agency and, therefore, required SECDEF approval.
Since the request was for incident awareness:and assessment during the entire
fire sea.'Son, the unit chose not to pursue blanket approval because of what they felt was
an onerous approval process.
(FOUO) Another example was provided by the Army and Air National Guard. In this
case, a DSCA exercise was proposed to 1'GB (bX7J(E)

Proper Use M emorandumt a memora11dum signed at111ually by an o rganlratf0111s cerHfylng govem ment official that defipes

the organizations domesttc imagery reqU1reme1m and intended 11se. It also contains a proper use siatement
acknowledging awareness of the legal and policy restrictions regarding domestic Imagery, Afl 1Al04, 23 Apr 2012

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(FOUO) We were also told about a DSCA tra ining exercise with the Department of
Energy using a U.S. Air Force remotely piloted aircraft that was conducted without

fo rmal SECDEF approval. This exercise was for incident awareness and assessment
support of a simulated hazardous material release on Department of Energy property.

The trainin g met all of the internal Service guidelines and was forwarded for approval.
However, since the exercise was conducted within OoD restricted airspace, the Joint
Staff determined that approval was not required. Our interviewees explained that this

left them confused about just when the OSD policy requiring SECDEF approval ofUAS
support for DSCA applied.
(FOlJO) Finally, a U.S. Marine Corp UAS unit told us that once each month their wing
hosts a community leadership program where local politicians are invited to view and

learn about the capabilities of the various aircraft on base. During one such event, a
local mayor requested UAS suppor t to look for p otholes in the area. While the unit
conceded that this type of operation cou ld provide realistic training for their pilots and
sensor opera tors, local commanders determined t hat under the inte rim guidance,

requesting SECDEF approval to conduct a UAS mission of this type did not make
operational sense.

(U) Impact of DoD UAS Policy on Processing,

E><ploi at ion, and Dissemioatio for o_ CA
(FOUO) Along w ith in terviewing various units operating UASs. we also interviewed
organizations responsible for perform ing the PED of UAS collected data. We met with

National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) personnel responsible for ensuring that
NGA and other Defense Intelligence Components comply with the domestic collection of
tactical imagery consfatent with DoD 5.240.1-R. While NGA does not operate UASs they
do provide PED support to DoD DSCA and other Federal agency UAS operations within
the United States. . GA (b)(>)

50 USC 3142

. 'GA (bJ(3) 50 l' SC 3 14~

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(FOUO) U.S. Air Force units operating UASs rely on the Air Force Distributed Common
Ground System (DCGS) for their PED support. We visited the 4801'' Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing and two subordinate DCGS elements to capture
their processes for DSCA UAS PED s upport. The Wing executes any DSU\ support

rrUssion accord ing to tasking from USNORTHCOM. USNORTH COM Contingency

Plan 3501, DSCA. serves as the COCOM's plan for DoD responses to civil requests for
s upport, incl uding JSR asset support. The 48ou1Wing has no formal policy for DSCA

support. but does comply with Air Combat Command Instruction 10-810, "Operations
Involving Domestic Imagery Support Request Procedures," for US Missions as well as
U.S. Air Force and DoD Intelligence Oversight directives.

(FOUO) The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps currently have no UAS-specific policies for
domestic UAS PED,

(FOUO) The O.S. Army also does not have UASspecific policies for domestic UAS PED.
However, because current USA pol1cy prohibits UAS civil support outside of DoO
managed airspace, they feel that compliance with all applicable intelligence ove rsi~ht
regulations is sufficient lo meet OSD policy guidance.

,I

1JJ The D

(U) During our evaluation we also observed how the Services and NGB are working

togetherto address some of the challenges associated with the current OSO policy on
the DoD domes~ic UAS use for DSCA. We discovered that an informal body, known as
the Domest ic Imagery Working Group (DfWG), was attempting to address some of the

concerns raised by the UAS units. The DIWG is a cross-functional and multi-service

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informal working group consisting oflawyers, operators, intelligence professionals, and

policy makers formed to address the collection of domestic imagery. We interviewed
multiple members of the DIWG and heard that the group was originally created to help
determine the approval authorities required to conduct the collection of domestic
imagery by all airborne ISR collection assets, including UAS. Over time the DIWG
narrowed its focus to address DoD UAS support to civil authorities and informally
captures lessons learned and best practices that are shared among the Services and
NBG. The DIWG has produced a number of recommendations on UAS employment
processes and legal guides to help the Services ensure policy compliance. Presently, the
DIWG is championed by USAF representatives. but each of the Services and
NGB participate. The DIWG is a best practice that should be leveraged to assist the
policy and Service communities in addressing the unique challenges of operating UAS in
the U.S.

( ) Cond

o,,

(F'OUO) We concluded that DoD takes the issue of DoD UAS support t.o domestic civil
authorities very seriously. Great care is taken by DoD personnel to protect the
American public's civil liberties and privacy rights while simultaneously preparing to
employ UAS capabilities as required by National Command Authorities. Our review of
UAS policy implementation across the department, coupled with our unit visits to
discuss actual events, did not reveal evidence that any DoD entity has employed a UAS
or conducted PED in support of domestic civil authorities contrary to laws, regulations,
or national policies. It should be noted that the units operating UASs across the
department told us that, while they un<lerstand the American public's legitimate
concerns about civil liberties and privacy rights, they do not operate UASs any
differently from manned platforms with similar capabilities.

---c-,-- ec,ommendations, Management Commen

s~

and Our Response

(FOUO) Recommendation 1
{-FGOO) We recommend that USO (P) establish a standardized formal approval process for UAS
support to domestic civil authorities.

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(FOUO) ASD (P) concurred with the recommendation and stated that Deputy Secretary ofDefense Policy
Memorandum 15-002, ~Guidance for the Domestic Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems", February 17, 2015,
addresses this issue. They also stated they will continue to work with the Military Services and National
Guard Bureau to address any uncertainty In the approval process.
ra

(U) Comments from the ASD (P) a re responsive to our recommendation. The Deputy Secretary of Defense
Policy Memorandum 15-002, which is an update to the 2006 Hrnterlm Guidance for the Domestic Use of
Unmanned Aircraft Systems", provides the necessary clarity to the Milita.r y Services and National Guard
Bureau on the approval process for UAS support to domestic civil authorlties.

(F-OUO} Recommendation 2
fFGOO) We recommend that USD (P) address the concerns o f Military Service/National Guard Bureau
UAS experts that policy ambiguity is potentially degrading UAS rraining and operational readiness.

(FOUO) ASD (J>) concurred with the recommendation and stated that Deputy Secretary of Defense Policy
Memorandum 15-002, uCuldance for the Domestic Use ofUnmanned Aircraft Systems", February 17, 2015,
addresses this lssue.
JI

f1

(U) Comments from the ASD (P) are responsive to our recommendation. Tl1e Deputy Secretary of Defense
Policy Memorandum 15-002, has addressed the majority of the Milltary Services and National Guard

Bureau's concerns about policy ambiguity impacting UAS training and operational readiness.

(F-OUOJ Recommendation 3
fFGOO) We also recommend that the USO (P) formally charter the Domestic Irnagery Working Group
(DIWG.)

(FOUO) ASD (P) concurred m prmc1ple to formally chartering the DIWG. They will work with the OIWG
lead Service to develop the appropriate working group leadership construct to champion DoO UAS
initiatives.

n ,..
(U) Comments from tile ASD (P) are responsive to our recommendation. The DIWG was a "best practice"
identified during our evaluation.

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(U) Management Comments

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy

--
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~ f hlnJ.: )OU i Ille CJWfllllnit) "' 1<\,.... }"ur <.Ji:Mion ot OoD's i..-o'
s. ..,.,,. ll'...S) ror JOl'l"l<t Ill a..11 l ,.., orl!I,, l.e ~- COOC\n \>hb
l'C't'Oll\ll)Cnw1hons l and 2. "'" hrlie' Uic COi\. . rn,e ;.i..,,,tlilt'J in tliae tcc:Ol!UlV'lldations arc
aldru'Cd io lhc Fei!rwr) 17 2\11~. llq>tll~
J
l\1lic~ \lmlOJ'llld'Jl.D J(~
I,;~ Al'MI

.,.._,Clao

("11;ud&nci:f0f1hc Dl:"f'T'CWilr: ~n1,r~;>Jt11t ml(j "\.m.rw

~ilb 11.e Mi.lil.l!Y II~ lid

N1tio1111I c,.., ' !I

'"".....,

, ,,..cnt- \Ve rill ""' fn.-:1\1 ""8

u t ' ..id<
1) Ul\tt'!Uin1" in lhe NlflWAI

~e:ll.

~RcrntdinJl ecommcnJ;111c>n J . the 1.1\:r;irtr"' nt con<1111 1n 1v11w1pk II) f"11!l.111'

..hinrr I.be Don-tic lmaR..1'" Work.i.111 11M1p (l ll\h11 11/r"' II " rk .., lb the DI" l.I lrad
'er> 1e< 10 ik-'Ci"!> tl....- ~Ille .,mk1

' ""!' 1..--...,'111p '""""mict to d wrl'ion Doi> UA i

initintlvt5.
~lfwc ""bcoft19furth:T ...,;-..C.
ilm m..,

point 1Jfcordacl for this m:tller, Ind can bt rcsched at

fS71) JS6'\D

or

Attllclruent:

O.feiue Policy Mcmonmdum I S-002

UNCl.ASSlfliDl~R 6Ff'ILlAI.

llS 9Nb'J'

1''51\ '5Pl'IeIAL ti!!~ 6NLY

Rr:pon No llOfJl(;-20 <;-097 I l!l

F8R: 8fPl6k\:fs YSE 8Nl5Y

DEPUTY HCltE'TAlll'Y Of OEFEHIE

111

Itta OUlJlaj H JrTAO Otl

lllA&Hl#i1ro11 ~c

l'imw '

1 7,201 ~

MllMl)RANl)tJMFOR SUCRTAlll f.S OFTHt MILITARY DEPAJlTMl'NTS

CHAIR.MAN UF TIU: JOlllfT Cll IC.F~ OF STAfT

l ll\ll)J '!{ . l:RfffARYOF OEl'ENSt: J'OR
TC!('HNOI OOY, ~Ll 1,oc.1~11cs

i\CQUl ~ITIO'll ,

UNDER SE('Rl:TARY OF OEl'ENSL FOR POU<;Y

l!NOt'R SECRl:." fARYOF DEFINSt: FDR

ttnooo.ss

l'ERSON~fil

ANO

UNOElll SEC.RETARYOF DEtr NSE F\IR INHI I lf di f'I

{'{IMMl\..>fOr R. U.S. NORTI{l RN C'll\ll\IAND
r"OMMA... Ol:lt. \J.S. PA.C. IFIL L'<l\fM l\'ND

CHIEI'. NATIONAi GllARD IJllllfi.\U

r.tNFRAl COt:NSEL OF THE Uil'AR I Ml "N r OF o:

<;F
ASSl!o.TAJ- r Qf'('Rf AR'' o~ PHN~r fOR Lf'Glq TTVI!
AFFAIRS
DEPARTMENT OF n r.rfNSE Cl llf:T flllf'OR.MATION OIT ICER
... ~SIS1 '-#1' TO Tiffi Sf.CRFTARY O> l>rr1\IS FOR PlBU C
Af'f i\lRS
SENIOR INTFLUGE.NC OVERSIGHT OFFICER

;i JWJ'C1

Policv Memo:nndwn 15.(1()2, ~Cluidtn> tonhe ~1c U5C of lln"1mncd

Ain:ra" Sysllmt"

SKPIRATION DATE: f cbrullty 17. 20111

POINT OP CONTACT: l'or mon:: infvrmalion. COU1Aet 01\SD(HD&:GS) a& (S71) 25li

"f'his policy 1ncmonndum provldco guidance for the domcsUc use of wunanmcd airct11ft
11)'"1Qm (l1A$) to

auwc tliat 1)8partm<mlofDcrcruoc(t>o0) UAS- 111Cd In '"rd&nCie with

U.S. law and DoO polky, and to ensure lhc: IPP")prlm: UM: of DoD UAS aucu in domeslk
r;cetai!oro. "2!nlnr ntttl-eJ "'2(J ~~
lJcO domr.tic ~viaMn Ol'fflJOil) ~ 11\To"elmd Orl.:.riM fHDI Dofl"tr SUl"PQl1 "'

C'lvil o\udloritles (DSC'\), llld !nil~ \1tl111ns and cxerdiu. Uni('~ sped J1.:.lly provtdn l ttll'
ill lhis poliq, law, 01' other 1111t<!io,_, tho appm vtl ot'thc Sct"f'<W)' of Dmcri11C is reciuiml for all
dommic llAS operations (including !ID, DSCA, Biid Natio1111I Guard (NG) Swc MJJ1P01t
opcnlions. indudins OoD UAS op.:utcd byNG pcnonnel In Title 32 or SWe A.crivc Duty
n11us). Any domc;rtl~ ll!eOf UAS rcquln::I (()llSuhalion wilh the Fcdcnll Aviation
Admini&tmtion (FAA) and must be con'llstcnt wilh appllc&hlc laws. t1.-iul:ltlo1U. and memonnda
oragecment concemltlg the operation' of LIAS in the Nallonal Aiapecc System (NA.'ij. Thls
pidancc applies to ll1J DoD UAS use in lhe UnltDd Scm:5 (hcn:a&r ~domestic_,~ or "domestic:

fQ~

QFFISIAb ~513 8Uls1/

F8R 8FFIGlltls H!3B 8NJ:;Y

rn/I"\ 1femttrtJ!ldm.r.o IS-001

~rllli"~'"). ";,ctt.c:.r1:i~ra11 by or un<krMo...a. tu \ctl~e
pcnr MIO! orb~ Olher DoD pcTk>nncl

or1t....ni.-<"""'1'<"'M1t"'ilitA~

!"'"''"""''

L:J1l- ~nul~ by law and llflt""ved ~> the ""'~~ ol rl<r...,~ "'~ DclD
'" "'~ l
f(lf dcm('<[IC OpeMtl<H"D "lldN:r Of llOl th~ DoD \_' '5 l.IK l f ~lnred to an mt111l!Ql<.e
'letivit). mil) not <Ondllct 'urvc1ll111c,e N l'.S . J)(rrnos. llii~ r~>.m:tirti i!IJ.'ludM usin~ any
<k'fl'!IC!llc DoO UAS u pan ofan eulht,.f, d DoD t<"'I"'""" ,., a I "ful r<<tu<lol
lcdentl dc,lArtmen1ouger.:.)' c -l!l:lll Wllll,:OOD Di~~ SWo.~1 and llJ)f'111n1thc

,c;

from""""''

ovenlsl11;uid11nco..ontained i11 DoD ~40.lR ro inellil;'cncc Sid oon-intcllip;CTtt ll:"!otcd

domlltic I JAS u >e, oil UA5 ..-qui>llk"1 coJlec;tl('i> f~'<QMioll- and clmemlnstion of bifnnNlll<>n
dunnr dc:mc!!lle DoD IJAS emr lll}'Tnrnt will lit in ~ \\llh DnJ\11& DoD and DoD
.COmpooctll i111elli~rncc ovmlglit guidlnce and wi11 niq11ir( roordiNtinn 11.od =~ of1 ptO!IC'
iusc: mQl11tr11dum (l'UM).

2!,>0 Orv1.tm1n
In 3rrrop<iltfo cln;um>1n~" U/\S m11y bo t&SCd in Ii ,.,. rmnn~ nl...,nl\ for clome-.ic
AW"'f'l'lllt~ cruirntlMC!:S 'l"3' 1nclud.- 1~:

mu1rons.

Ull'hltncd e-nch,qn~ 1fttH1 <t arc r~.q11lri...-.J:

\lnrllUltlC'd ~ l'f<<Vt<Jt> IJ1""iN o.--!'11' Ii.'< , Of

r-f1y. iatl intr.SUU<ture limit llO!U 1woMlll Ilic Ull<' t mwn~ flltllry '" ll'.l't'd" 1n~
~iremfl.

D>O II Ali ;n lhe \fnrttd~late:J !nl}' cnl)' "" lllOI ITD. DliC'\, llDd NO SIAIUltppOlt
<.' P''mfons, lnclud111.111pen.tlnM to surl"'rt Peder;al. S1111... loe11I. a.nd tribal ncvemment

'iJl'fmliun,, if~ by the &.::mnyorDefcnsc. OoD l IAS li14Y not be I.tied for Fedml.
State, or local immocliatc response.

Armed DoD UAS may not be uMld in the U11Jtc4 St.lld for o!hcr than b'lllnlug. o;tmi!OCS,
and ll$lll& I>~

la tho .:vent of 1 requeI for l'ede<~ ! UllflOl't. lhD Cluirmlll of lh4' Joint ('hie& orlltalf, in
OOOllultlllion with Ibo appropri..ic gco8fl!PliiG Combiia>o!ll Cam1noncic:rs, will provid~ a

recommend111ion to the ~ of O\lfc:nsc conccmiRA 1hc usoofOoDUAS. To seek 1111provol

ior other mistions, DoD Components should we die 1pprovlll 'uthoriticg, proccdul'es. and
<q>O<dn1 roqpln:mcm.t conlaittcd in appu.:.ble laws -S ttgulalic>n~ auch u CJCS fnstrucllCMI
;71 o.om. "DoD CounlA:rdrus suwon." Support will be rirovided on 11 relmbtinable ba$lt
unless olbcnvlse rcqllired by law, or Oil 11 non-n:lmbumble bull ifruch support is both
el.llhorUul by law mcl "PJIC'Ovcd by tho~ of o,f<mc,

"1D D.iactht.S'200.27 ~tft.Ml of I"''

~ or~.

' DoD S2A0.1 ~ J>mcctlu

r..--.

llbrJ,11 l ~rf''"i f~tOA 11~ ilft.._.tinr~,

~!.. ohc Al.lhl~ .JD.ill ....ill

Noc A.lfi!.tat--A di tbt

t'M"'1' 11""1 .'ll'lioot lliltal 5"""

Jieft ePPit.HAL M~E 6HL'l

F8R 8FFI1M; tiSB 6ML't

Poli< t' ,lf<'mr>rand.11111 J)-1/0~

C"o0v~mn!$ in 1:131Q. Where OoD UAS ~1$ are licld..d .., tlll: Stui: 'a Natl nlll tlt..ml n1oy
not ttTIOlay DoD UAS with0111 1he eppmcl <;1 f tltc l' ~ .1r ,,1 D::Ji:nsc; lmwem. 1~.c
r.nvm1NJ may <Cl!Ull~ DoP tAli ~ltl)1M11t 1'l 1flclr pl <mini; ihr d~tq r"<>l""l' c:ti' Jr
Govrnn<"S who ~ek to u... OoD IIAS .u.-.ets in .i<Uf;I''", l'f SIAtc d;i.rl!ler raper~ 1houlJ ,ubflJO
f"f1N.I requot in "riuo1 It' the ~~rcW} of ~f-.r Such rtqt1 <u shoold ' on1:Jin the
Mply\l~ col\lltCltd 111~1 drtrnn;n~I tbilt ntlicr manlli'il ~' ._o wr1c ll<lt r1n:>rri11e. llic

Cho.i,.,..,.. nf tbe J<>i"l ChT~r r>f ,i.fl in L""''"''""'lon -..11h lite .r;mmprite !m'f,l:r;lrh~ C'ootb > "'

( ~. me Chlct of II"~ 1.letl(meJ lJ\ltri nurn11 INOO),

nd rbc arrrarn~tr :..iilit.tn

~crc11ry, will P"l!V...i, a rccr.n"1Q1tl~ioo 1n ~~CJ' "" ~r 0.f"'1>!l' r"""""'l'll
the us.e " OoO UA~ rn "tll'f""f 0 1" S!Jl.e "'<JU~I.

iX'l'llW'nt

PIAn! ~Muld f11eur en the proted".:$ 111111 lilre mi11INCI for ~ AA CQ'l\1tlmdoo '(or
to tho 1tte"'V'l' airspa1e Ind to l)Ollin St=r)' of D6en1~ 1urJ>nriuttlon. In C(IMCC'.lt with
F~mal b1nci~nC) MGIU)ltmtnl -'~cy .oorJinliled 'q;Kit11.l J;lanning. All) Stlte thll f'l'Ol""n
tbc w;e,cr Doo UAS In iu pll11l-~ l>oukl "''""'"' With th~ cu""""fl"'ndtns i;cosraphlc Cnmt.x.11
C'omnw><kr 10 crtsUR t!Mlt St.tc 1111<1 Dl>D plam m.lll<ni7~ U11hYo' effott and e!fldm.'

The mly e~i:cptioo to the cquir'CJiJent for :lJlflt1111..1by ~he Secrei.11v or ~fonse for~
use of OoD t AS for dome.. . Ir. <1peratlons /ITC "IS1C!I an~ ~ 'SARl l'li<>ti(ln llwe!vinp
::lkue~ llDd ~otial IOY .f tlfc. <llM are r1..,,.0i111.1Jrd h~ ht \ir Fo- R"""ur C'oordin~tion
( 'tntu IA f'Rl t'l. Ab~\ul Relllllc C'Nl<dinV..11r cl!i;r IAKR<'n ~ Joinr \k cw <.;OOlllln11rlon
Cnu:r flllCf )-r aciflc'. Speo..1i<.tfl) , ll fnltoMn~ ~roe1uJ.,.,,. mY :<'l'fl'"'I: !!' ue ofl>oll
UAS on 1111 i\f RCCJAKRl 'l"JJRC'C.l'x illc C.X>rd1Ml'Od tn6'.i04! with a J1rore.-ly ilSIJ<'d SAR
mill!ion IWl11Mr aft.er o detmnirwim that UAS would be the best pfelfoun t.'l ta'ist in the SAR
rnlSlion i nd tlmt its U'lC wuufd nm inlerl<T IVlth th<: 1irlnuuy mJllwy dutl"' of Ilic unit
wncemcd:
Co!lllT\.llll4, (J.S. NCXlbC'm C:onuneod, 1lltouz!1 tbe CommM4ct, Air f'~ N~ lt1
the do.le~ role of Inlaid SAR Operations Coordinaror for the GOfllinental Unittd

Stale5 Se<ll'Qh Qlld Rescue .Region;

COlllllWlder, U.S. Nonhtm ~ ll!ro111ih !hr Ccl1llllllndor, Alulcarl ComJl'l:loUll, as

Sl'Jl Operation8 COOldinttor for me F.l1ncndarf Searoh i nd Rcscllo Re11lon. landmus of

Alaska; or

Commaodet, U.S. P~ilioCommMd, in ihc role ofSAR CoordiMlor for the ll\!ldmAU of
tfaw1ll. mclo"" coordination with tho U.S . Coast Guud.
Each co1\'lmander w ill ensute tlUlt all lcll'~ ~IUgcnceovcalght (iacludi113 the requirement ro
ohtbn Pmn Pri<eY -4.,.,,,, .mr~ ~ t...,. ,......_,,.......,,~ &icJt ~ 1>'ill
rrnmpOv inJOml the SecrcU.l'\ I I ll~tcMr tJ..nuaJi nllJ1<1JJ1i.i~ i.:!1.~noli, 4fter the use 01 Dol>
UAS lw been l"l'fllW'd

P6"R 6FPl6IAL MSl3 8PH:N

1~

11w1 No l /li!Ji(.d(: I '.:I fJ')l

I :>

QR QfFlIi4:h HSE 8Nrit'

Iht \ Jl'!11111! ~<.crtlM'\ of flcfeor for I lomcl~ucl 0trr111.-1111d Ci1nNll ~corhv

IASO(llt)clC"'tl l'ill nKI"
.111~

1hir ~l\R~v1i11In !J>, 110 ..,..,(Jnft of0<11' !'llrttlih

18. 1Xffl1 toc <ourf1('11 " ' L11111\lllli<,,;lr "

Tu ptmw)' PltJl)OSC of dniliotic l AS lr.linir111 1.11d c~crtijC'lj ls for OoD fol\."CS Lo

\.'Ofld11<.1 reah>tlo: ttal.ni11.1t in tltcir core 1cJ t~ niilh:ao, 1n1..1~n -. DoD II 5 l&scd In 1taln!11
end CL~ wilJ oo't 'lla;ruln: ni ~ fln.l ;.-,r"W"'\1 .&.;t'.l., (c;ttC'.C~"t . '"'" i1':.&dcntcl t"O'cclkln)ebcxn
lJ!CCiftod l...S pmo... !>f llf'l!C>of'l w ntrollcd P'l't"'T1Y~ 11!clllt"'' l11<.<11td 1n1tsidc DoO
._Mtmlt.:11 int 1lt.li~l willlout ~. All \; \S a.:q11i,itil'n co1kt'tlr>t>. r~tnli-n. a.ad
dhscminlli1111 vf ~1loomtirn will bo 1n ~ '-~ wiih S1111idan1 0..0 n:rlotinll!> 1111d poll.,y,
fo~hidinc; DoD (.'omfl'ltlt'U: in~Ui:cnce cw~~iolll E i.d lK . 'Ind 1~ill r.qvlr~ t PL~

1
Ptior ">tlr11.nJi~n to tl.e <:.-1 ~' ofl): f'r>" if lbc 111.tfDl"'ft '1e1
DoD l l-.S lllld
b tn he UMd in rrwninv and c<:" .-- ..i. ~-.!o11M ~i.11 u,.,. l t'ft9C.C
0

ISl 'At'
Prl<o
by Ill..~,,. f Ii.r...,.,. f tht l ' Ni ,, ~~ ~II l-4 IM!t\J n'
1rm1111. c:t<TCllC. ill: !Olin! cvCl'!l O"t'ldor UllD 1 \ and
Pnor ~rnval b) IM !\-ellar) cf rkfi
r" any Doti OAS 1r11 '111ns llnd n ~
t.Md~ with f<Or,..I. Sute. or local liW cnforocm<nt l"mt~ flJ:.A\ '""llldi05
any OoD UA5 ll'llilllnl( ~'1d CX(ICl'IC& plmned in t 1'<Jrdl,,.,,,., with LEAs ID meet
Ll!A lnfnnnat.J.>n needs tt~wl!h 'II <..S.C'. ~ 37 1(b).

"'"'"ll'

The "'lllfi<aUM 10 M requm roe pprovl!l by the ~uiry ur nerc:nse noq111m1 by this
~ ~U ba .ubmitted to the Sn:UfY least 30 days prlc>r to the tnlnint. euioisc. or
lr:lti"g event through 'l'PfOl)Nse Mllicary Oqitnment!Servlcc, Comhaunl CD0'111..-.d. or NOB
channeb via the Joint Slatr (J-3'), tnd msy be 111bmla.:d cilhcr on ~by<UO bulJ or In blllill
fntmAt for period1 not to exceed one colendar )'Ca1 in a.dvlll\00 ofthepro~ll axorclJC ot
nilling.
.
&KG1<:i- Iroltiia&Jr1~i~t.1Qt&qiir.:x! 1>y Qc>Q
/\ltl!QllQll DoO cqulprnrot b 'lliXI wthe NCi i ..1tcn irv&l~IO l\'1' - by :;uu, "'""~
fUl' oo:>-1>1-D ~ . l!l*O ~rck'~
u 1<'<1Ulm l fo1 ll.c11&~ !'DoD l li\SIWS
f1>r nunl>oD purp!!" far P!ie '\ t.rai~ln~ 1111d \<rrl' or ftr 1'10 ti \S lllllllj and C''\tro!.t
th.It rn.ovldc IDCldcm>I "Ul'V"'l to dvll aummtln, Tbls ll'CI~ OoO VAS opcnlld by fon:a i o
Title 10 lilJl!UJ 111d Naifon1I G\lard pcoonnel InTill' l l or S1oto Actlva D111y siaw.

""'"''.ii

....

'~01MS..._,-.!io CICS1:nJSOl,Jow- ~S)oMoO- ~,.,.,.~0..

_...

l> PAlll~IJoU) ~>~ l<ltlJ ... - ~ -~--111'-~

lli.-llWO

~7 1:0,l~U..-('RM)<W_ _ _ _ _ NillOw)o,..tliw N,.ClJo\~,,,_-~

Jtt.s- --s..b"'- ht "lllillC-.fM_
....,,....._ _ _ _ lti

.......

_,,__....__."_._

..............OilriDUAl, 6it.-.-.,91119 ....... "'"'8. . JCAI."- .., ..,.

....

1. . . . . . . .

t'.oMIA . . . . . . . .

F6ft 6fiFJEIAL MSE 8NLY

F'6ft 8FFI61Ah t1S l3 8Nl5Y

,v nri

t101!:'1

l i:n11101:..nL..

::iwc omclal1 "bo wish 10 proro$C Ille use> 01 DoO UAS In suppou or mi<'< SQ\c
(or traini111: rrqumn -t'f'll'l'ltl ~> tho 5c:cicl4!') 1 t Url\:n:se) lhoutd

""""'i'"'
alrt puce lllld. to ""'"'" ~rclllry nf Ucf<11s1> 111'!'!'0\'~1 . Sllllcs In Wnlch DoD UAS D'ICll 111'1
diWt'1.,. """"'""'

11K.1or in lllC f'll'l',.cdurr:- and time rcquin:d CD con111lt with die FAA for accc::ta IO tht' nee~'"'"'

r..1<1 lhll l\Hc rcquimn1'!0l r"r their use in Chae <"rrcis<" l"' ~in11 noqulrlnil at'IW'l'\'11 by
Ills ~rt!JI')' of Delt n<cl >1ill wliilJit the ' iounor', req11c(I "' "'i1ir1t at lcaA 30 dll 1 LTI
ildHllll;C IQ the ecreQry ot DefmK thrnu~ ll)J!llJf"'1' MilitJ)' Ocrm:mrnt .....,. lcr
Ccmb.11rir (.'om11i.nd. or NGfl chonn~ln'ii> th, Join St.lf lJ l ond m.-.y ~' '""'h such 1eq1111t
dhcr on a ca~l1)'<" f-sJ!s OJ Ill bau:ll funtl ti Cr pcfiJCb 11111 1.. nee~ 011c 11) colrnd.tr VI.Al
in ldl!'cc of' lhe f"'Ol"'>Cd n crti... t.tainin&

'

~n nnk:r to toNitct J(\mc ''~ ('"Cl"lli~ ..i(rcisc. i-nd ,...,,run.;. DoO UA.~ "~" ' te'"\
t~fol\.. 1111t;,,.. v-eos lo tilt IUlA!ll
t111U Cl!"l.>11 In ~~ i
f'
nt;\11' 'f'\' P"l'< y .wl l'\l\d.,,..,. ~.-111<-d "'illl l.JAC .,,-.1io lnll..- '1A" u"~llui11
Pif'!"i~<ly dtvel(IS'in ddc.:Hnd
te<hnolor) I<' l!lll~ N f. t>r-<l"ltklfl ,1(UA'\ la
u~v.i!cd ain piK

o111 Ulcl)' nOl bf <1111fi'IC"d..,

tt'' d .;,.~
air\
,.fll libl'' ~ rqoftd. T1" 0~ n

'"' '""

'"ii

TheCJWr u( d!t Dd> l"t!hc~ Bom!Clll Fdml A"'- 1 n ~FAl wi.11 leadllic:
Dcnitnrr!a>t' s df'OIU toadmc!r< ror lhc elhninaint cf llf'l!W'C"'-11:' rcplla<~~ rcsui.,1ons 11'1<11
!"<'"- rt'll!b1<
N,,q for 0..0 UAS. The PBrA Chair wi11 "o"' tlml<h tho 111111
atcn.oY lJAS l::xuudv Ccr:runill<'I! to ~-.""'~ e~" "'Id om" .:111C111$ llld
do-tel"" ~ aucbrdsof csr"'Y dut ~ llJl>ilin ll!d Ilic intn10Xnun1 ~ <dkM
C'ly"'"""" <lflhcr ~, glcllal U;\l> .,....._..,...,

_.,,....,th

OoD will Olllltinue to promo!e the dtl'~IClpment oftcchnnlogjcs, slAndudl1<d orcrall1111

s -Jma, UJd polic:ia that emw- lhat DoD lJI\ <; .w .tile to optntc ..,fcly whhin lhc n!lfiooal
a~ ~bllcabo i..~ ~ ""lllilll ~Ml privoey,

(lth O<MIJUll'IM X~llil]"'

rJm:ltlr 1'Wcr11tary Qf f>ltfen.u for PtJ/lcy

Tbt l .nd""'~"la;

'11

Def<;JjO for p.,1.._,, tU<:t><r l) IJ ~1lllwircd IO

~ISblish

the

"""'1'fl'iate poliey roi domatic U5e of UAS for force p11>t-cti11n mid pmlcelion orother DoD
_,_, whether in OoD lnm1ct1Q!I 2000,16, ''l'lofl Anthmurhm ~u.mla11b.'' orolher
llJ'l)f'O!Wll ltc DoD i!Slll.llU.

The ASO{llD&OS);ulldcr tile authority, dlrtio11, and e<mll'OI of the llSD(P), ii !he
prtncfpll clvillim ldvlJIJI' t0 lbe 'ieCNtar)' orDefense for the mmcstlc use or DoD UAS. ~
ASO(HDltGS) will conduct amtprehcnsiw 1C"1icwoflhls policy C'IU)' thtcc )'OlllS Uld seel
approval of approprim mvislotJ. Ifreqllirod. All policy dcvdopmem will be o:oordimll:d wllh

F8R 8FFIC1Ars tf58 8NeY

' 'll

P8R 8FPI@litl5 "YSI3 8Nls

the Cl aih1llll1 nf lhc Joint Chlcls of<;tfl. the OoD G<:t>rn1I C'>ll~I. t he: A~i""fll ~<ttUt)' of
Ocfcnsc' for ~1111 flrmliou and l 'V.'frltcn1t Cn ,flizt. &00 the heads of otl~ l'P'<>ptiatt
OoO t1tc1nl1111ions.

Tllo <\.-t=t 10 d1c 1'creuty o(Ofcrm: for Puhlk I\ flair V" TSO(PA l) i'i ~1"1c
for ~ncS'diMdni: pub\io; AffoirJ wq;iiri1t wilb the Miliuw Dr;~rtm~1,./&rv1es. Jo!nt ~WY.
Cnmbalilnt Commend&.Notic"al 01wd BmcJiu. State dcp311rnent' and 1gencics, Md other
ttdcrlll dtpMJnetlU 111d ~lcs as l\'.quiied Tl~ATSO( PA.) I IM lcod DoD cflk11ll fo,
.mt.11"111111 puNic affilin i:uidatkc on dor1c.ti.. use of DoD UAS. \dditinnall~. to prn1111~
tran!lp8tCl'cy. Ille ATSO(PA) will volt with the PBFA 111d the A<;D(HO~GS) to dcvcl<> a
ww:~ n111llnlna OoD UAS dom~.ti; o(X'r.'1!1on\
Thi~ suida.ncc replace and !'<!S~Jid& the Oo/l)llt}' ~-rcory ufDcfon.!;c

McnOl"l1ul11n1. ~11rrim Guldll~e 10t 1he Dl'metlc 1 n f Llnmii".!Cd Aircnft Svm!l'ls

~ttnl.er ll. 200.S.!

' N.., ~loul ud lnmi"S"'l""'WllOlln..Oo niq- 1 & ke dJooct 60 ~ after the .t. lhlt tlW policy

- u m l>.t-1

P6ft 6fPietAJs HSB 8flbY

R1111m No, ll01llu 201~ U'l'/ j I ,

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Appendixes

(U) DoO Offices Visited

(U) Under Secretary of Defense for Policy representatives from Homeland

Defense & America's Security Affairs.

(U) Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence representatives from
VVarfighterSupport.
(U) Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Intelligence

Oversight representatives.

(U) USNORTHCOM Directors from the Operations, Plans, Intelligence, and

Judge Advocate General Directorates.
(U) National Geospatial Agency (NGA) representatives.
(U) National Security Agency (NSA) representatives.

(U) Headquarters National Guard Bureau PoLicy, Operations, and

Intelligence Directors.

(U) Headquarters U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force
Policy, Operations, and Intelligence Directors.
(U) U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force Commands
responsible for Service UAS employment policies, tactics, techniques,
and procedures.
(U) U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Air Force Commands
responsible for Service PED policies, tactics, techniques, and procedures.

\L

FOR OFFICIAL USE 0~1LY

1J(1rJ i',l(I J)(J(I ( .!Jl. 'i- l'i!

11

FOR OFFICIAb W5E ONeY

Anpe 11 d1xc-~,

Unit's Visited and locatio

1st Air Force

Tyndall AFB, Florida

Second Marine Aircraft Wing (2d MAW)

MCAS Cherry Polnt, North Carolina

480th JSR Wing {ISRW)

Langley AFB, Virginia

27th Intelligence Squadron (27 IS)

Langley AFB, Virginia

California National Guard JFHQ

Sacramento, California

Air National Guard 181st lntelllgence Wing

Terre Haute, Indiana

Air National Guard 174 Attack W ing

Syracuse, New York

Army 15th Military Intelligence Battalion

Fort Hood, Texas

1st CAV - Grey Eagles

Fort Hood, Texas

9"' Reconnaissance Wing

Beale AFB, California

49th Fighter Wing

Holloman AFB, New Mexico

JTF-North

Ft Bliss, Texas

2-13th Aviation Regiment

Ft Huachuca, Arizona

Commander Naval Air Forces

NAS Coronado, California

U.S. NORTHCOM

Colorado Springs, Colorado

NAVAIR

Patuxent RTver NAS, Maryland

VMU-2

M CAS Cherry Point, North Carolina

IU U

f Computer-Prore

~eri

ta

(U) We did not use computer-l)rocessed data to perform this evaluation.

IU Prior Coverarie
(U) No prior coverage has been cond ucted on DoD's domestic use of UAS for civil
authorities during the last 5 years.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE O~JLY

(U) Acronyms and Abbreviations

COCOM

Combatant Command

DCGS

Distributed Common Ground System

DIWG

Domestic Imagery Working Group

DoD
DSCA
ISR

Department of Defense

Defense Support to Civil Authorities

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

NGA

National Geospatial Agency

NGB

National Guard Bureau

OSD

Office of the Secretary of Defense

PED

Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination

PUM

Proper Use Memorandum

RPA

Remotely Piloted Aircraft

SECDEF

UAS
lJSNORTHCOM

Secretary of Defense

Unmanned Aircraft System

United States Northem Command

FOR OFFICIAL USE O~JLY

FOR OFFICIAL USH OMLY

Whistleblower Protection
U.S. DEPARTM ENT OF D EFENSE
Tiie Whi.\lle/Jlower Protection Hnhunct/me11l Acl o{ 2012 nquires

the lnspettor General to des1,gnatr a Wl11st/eb/n111er Prolec.tio11

Ombudsman to educate a9ency cmp/oyf'es abo11t pml>ibitions
on retaliation. and rights and rem.:dics t1gairtst rete1/Jation for
protected dmlos11res. The dc5i,qnated ambuclsma11 is the Do[) Jlotline
Direct or For

more in/ormCttion on your rights and reme-die5 ugamst

retaliation. 11i<::it www. dodig. mil/proy rona/wh i~tleb/rm:er.

For more information about DoD IG

reports or activities, please contact us:
Congressional Liaison
congressional@dodig.mil; 703.604 8324

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